Dribble Podcast: Perth Wildcats star Bryce Cotton could sign NBL ambassador contract if he stays in Australia

Perth Wildcats superstar Bryce Cotton could become a NBL ambassador to increase his earning potential in Australia if he chooses to re-sign with the club at the end of this season. Cotton is facing a huge decision after an extraordinary season with the Wildcats that has already seen him score a modern 40-minute era record 59 points, have another four matches where he’s produced 40 points and also record a career-high 12 assists in one game. The American is on track to win his fifth NBL MVP award and the Wildcats have already offered Cotton a deal worth about $1million per year which will make him the highest paid player in league history. Industry insiders believes he will be offered about $1.4million by cashed up teams in Asia but NBL CEO David Stevenson said the league had the capability to bolster Cotton’s contract if he chose to stay in Australia. “We’ve had a history of supporting clubs and individual players with ambassador agreements,” Stevenson told The West Australian’s The Dribble Podcast. “We’re always mindful to do that after agreements are reached with the club, so that we’re not influencing their ability to sign or not. That integrity is really important for us. “We can’t speak highly enough of Bryce Cotton. The impact he’s had on our league has been phenomenal. He’s clearly in the best handful of players the league’s ever seen, and what he’s done in a relatively short period of time has been remarkable. “So every time he pulls out another game, we just continue to want to champion and celebrate him. We’ll certainly support the Perth Wildcats in everything they can do to to be able to retain Bryce.” Cotton has made it clear he will wait until the end of the season before considering any offers, just as he has done with previous contract negotiations. Stevenson said the league understands the importance of retaining the superstar but still won’t enter into any discussions with Cotton until he makes a decision. He said the league can’t be seen to be providing players with incentives to sign contracts with specific clubs. “We generally do it after their contract is reached with the club, because then it’s not relying on those dollars to be able to sign for the player. That helps us from an integrity point of view across all of the clubs. So, at the appropriate time, we’ll have that that conversation,” Stevenson said. “I can’t speak highly enough of Bryce, and we’d love to see him in the league for the other for the next 10 or 15 years. I think the way he’s been playing this year, his fitness, his attitude - he’s just a marvel. So we love having him in the league.”